Household Hints.

Western Star, Issue 2220, 8 July 1898, Page 4

Household Hints.

Spots and Stains

How to Remove Dirt Grease Without Injuring the Fabric.

Questions 'Concerning the various means of removing spots from cotton, linen, and other materials are so frequent that a list of some of the best methods of dealing with these blemishes will be of service to every .housekeeper. Most stains can be easily removed from underclothing, bed and table linen, so long as the material is uninjured. With coloured goods, whether wool, cotton, or 'silk, it is different. Here success will depend upon the fabric. Therefore in doubtful cases, especially where the material is costly, it is always better to send to a professional cleaner, before doing still further mischief by unsuccessful trials. The dyes can be tasted on pieces of the material at the cleaning establishment before the chemicals are used on the garment.

Spot's Whose Cause is not Known For 'Wilvite and coloured cotton fabrics : To one quart of soap suds (wine measure) add one teaspoonful of ammonia, rub the spots with a sponge, then wash with clean water.

Spots Caused by Crease, Oil, Paints, and Varnishes.—For White cotton and linen, coloured woollen and calico : Rub the spot repeatedly with a sponge moistened with spirits of turpentine or benzine; then lay a piece of blotting paper on it, and press with a hot iron. Afterwards, if necessary, wash the Whole article in warm soap suds. Silk : Apply a thin paste made of magnesia and ether, let >t -dry ; brush it off. and nib with breadcrumbs. Velvet: Dab and brush it with the pile, witb a bag filled with 'hot sand.

Spots Caused by Vinegar and Acids.— White linen and cotton : Wash in clean water and ammonia ; the proportions previously given of a teaspoonful to a quart would probably suffice. Coloured woollen and cotton fabrics and silk : Wet the spot with diluted ammonia and afterwards wash with clear water. Claret, Emit, -and Vegetable Stain's.— White cotton and linen : Wash in jave'lle waiter or weak chlorine water, and rinse with dear water, or hold the dampened spot over the fumes of sulphur, and then wash with clear wafer. Grass Stains.—White linen and cotton : Wash with alcohol, or clear boiling water will frequently do. If that fails, use the alcohol. Coloured woollen and cotton materials and silk : Moisten with a solution of stanic chloride, wash in clear water, then rinse. Aniline Ink Stains.—Willite col lon and linen : Wasli with alcohol, to which a little vinegar lias been added. Coloured woollens and cottons and .silk : Wash with pure alcohol.

Rust Stains.—White linen and cot ion: Wash with solution of hydrochloric acid—'when purchasing it state to the druggist that you want it "cheani'ca'Hy pure"—and use aw follows :—'First wet tlhe spat With very hot water, then touch lightly with the acid (using a dropper). Rinse with clear water, to which a little ammonia has been added. Coffee and Chocolate Stains.—-All materials : Apply glycerine mixed with the yolk of an wash off with warm water, iron with a hot iron on the wrong side till dry. Pitch and Tar Stains.—White cotton and linen : Moisten the spot with spirits of turpentine, rub well, put a sheet of blotting paper over it. press with a hot iron, and wash With warm water and soap. Coloured woollens and cottons : Dampen the spot, rub fresh butler or Lard on ii. then a strong rather of soap, and wash off first with spirits of turpentine, 'then with hot water ; or apply a mixture Off turpentine and yolk of egg ; as soon as it is dry, scrape it carefuWy off, and wash repeatedly with hot water. Silk.—Dab the spot with a mixture of chloroform and ether, cover it with powdered white ciay, lay a sheet of blotting paper on. press with a hot iron, and brush off the powder. Milk and Soup Spots.— White cotton and linen : Wash with soap suds. When the spots are on table cloths or napkins which are about to be washed soap the spots well before placing them in the water—after being wet the stains cannot be seen -and this will frequently suffice. Coloured woollens and cottons: Ru'b the spot with a sponge, wet with benzine or spirits of turpentine, and place a. piece of Idol ling paper over it ; press with a hot Hat-iron and wash with warm water and soap. Silk : Use the same, or .substitute ether.—" Detroit Free Press."